Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

Gunmen Kill 2 Policemen In Anambra

Tragedy struck in the Uga Community of Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State, as gunmen unleashed terror, resulting in the deaths of at least two policemen and several others on Thursday, December 29, 2023.

Residents urgently called upon security agencies and State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for intervention as armed assailants wielding AK-47 rifles conducted kidnappings and gunfire with impunity at the Uga junction.

Witnesses described the scene as chaotic and violent.

The incident occurred at a junction leading to the homes of prominent political figures, including APC chieftain, Andy Uba, and PDP leader, Chris Uba. Reportedly, the gunmen abducted individuals from luxury cars, engaging in an intense exchange of gunfire when confronted by police officers.

Disturbing video clips circulating on social media depict the aftermath, showing slain officers and abandoned SUVs with signs of forced abduction. Police confirmed the attack, revealing the assailants were disguised in military gear and likely crossed over from a neighboring state.

Despite the brave efforts of officers from Enugu State attempting to thwart the attackers and ensure the safety of motorists, the gunmen managed to escape, leaving a trail of tragic fatalities and uncertainty in their wake.

12/29/2023
BREAKING! Lucky Aiyedatiwa Sworn In As Governor

Following the unfortunate passing of Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, the Acting Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has been sworn in as the substantive Governor.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Aiyedatiwa is expected to promptly appoint key officials such as the Chief of Staff, Chief Security Officer, Chief Press Secretary, among others, and initiate a cabinet reshuffle.

The demise of Governor Akeredolu occurred on Wednesday in a German hospital after a challenging battle with leukemia.

The swearing-in ceremony was attended by key figures including the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt Hon Olamide Oladiji, members of the assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu, and the state chairman of the ruling party APC, Ade Adetimehin. Additionally, members of the Executive Council, political office holders, and other party members graced the occasion with their presence.

12/27/2023
Akeredolu’s Death, A Big Blow To APC – Tinubu Mourns

President Bola Tinubu has mourned the demise of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu.

Akeredolu, 67, died in the early hours of Wednesday, December 27 after a prolonged battle with leukemia.

Reacting to the Southwest governor’s death, Tinubu in a statement on Wednesday described Akeredolu as man who moved the nation towards equity, fairness and justice in his strident advocacy against every form of injustice.

“Rotimi was a strong voice in wilderness calling us to rethink our security architecture so we can have a more secure nation. His unrelenting advocacy led to the birth of the local police in the South West.

“Rotimi was a man of ideas and action. While he was with us, he taught us the power of action and service.

“We fought many battles together to restore progressive governance in the South West, Edo State and Nigeria as a whole.

“Governor Akeredolu was not just a friend, ally and associate, he was a brother and soulmate.

“His death is a blow to our governing APC and the progressive family as we are diminished by it.

“I hope that his successor Aiyedatiwa will hold steadfast to the vision of governance left by this towering political leader”, part of the statement read.

12/27/2023
Nigeria Set to Commence Gas Supply to South Africa by 2024

Nigeria, a significant player in the global energy sector, has announced plans to initiate gas supply to South Africa in the first quarter of 2024.

This development was revealed by David Ige, the Executive of Riverside LNG, a prominent Nigerian-based energy company, during a recent interview held in Abuja.

Highlighting the growing collaboration between the two nations, Ige stated that substantial discussions on energy collaboration have been initiated.

Earlier this year, Riverside LNG solidified a gas-export partnership with Johannes Schuetze Energy Import AG of Germany, indicating a broader expansion of its market reach.

“We’d probably close out another segment of the market very early in the year, an off-take for South Africa,” Ige stated, pointing out the evolving gas market spanning approximately 3,000 nautical miles from Nigeria, covering southern Africa, western Africa, northwest Europe, the Caribbean, and South America.

Nigeria, recognized for its vast energy resources, boasts 202 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of untapped proven gas reserves, as confirmed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

12/27/2023
Vice President Shettima, Governors Visit Tinubu In Lagos

Vice President Kashim Shettima made an official visit to President Bola Tinubu at his private residence in Lagos State.

This visit, occurring just a day after the Christmas Day celebrations, signifies a strategic engagement between the two prominent political figures.

President Tinubu had recently arrived in Lagos from Abuja, intending to spend the Christmas and New Year holidays in his home state.

In a show of respect and solidarity, members of the Nigerian Governors Forum also paid homage to President Tinubu at his Lagos residence, echoing the visit made earlier by Vice President Shettima.

12/26/2023
APC, PDP Unveil Timetable, Costs for Bye-Elections

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have each revealed their timelines and expenses for the upcoming 2024 bye-elections in accordance with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) directives.

For the Senate race, the APC set the expression of interest form at N3 million and the nomination form at N17 million.

House of Representatives aspirants will pay N1 million for expression of interest and N9 million for nomination.

As for the House of Assembly, the expression of interest form stands at N500,000, while the nomination form is priced at N1,500,000.

The party encouraged female aspirants and people living with disabilities to obtain the expression of interest form, with the nomination form available for free.

Additionally, youths aged 25 to 40 can obtain the expression of interest form at a 50% discount on the nomination form.

The PDP, on the other hand, outlined its costs differently.

The expression of interest form for the Senate is set at N500,000, with the nomination form at N3,000,000.

House of Representatives hopefuls will pay N500,000 for expression of interest and N2,000,000 for nomination.

For the State House of Assembly, the expression of interest form costs N100,000, while the nomination form is priced at N500,000.

Similar to the APC, the PDP stated that female aspirants and individuals living with disabilities will pay for nomination forms only.

Furthermore, individuals below 40 years old will receive a 50% discount on the nomination form after purchasing the expression of interest form.

12/26/2023
Three Inmates Escape From Ogun Prison

The Ijebu Ode Correctional Home in Ogun State has been rocked by a jailbreak.

This was confirmed on Tuesday by Victor Oyeleke, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Ogun State Command.

Three inmates reportedly fled the facility in the early hours of Saturday morning, prompting a search operation involving various agencies.

Oyeleke emphasized that efforts are underway to locate and apprehend the escaped inmates.

He assured the public that measures are in place as they collaborate with sister agencies and utilize biometric data and family contacts to facilitate their capture.

While a statement from the Ijebu Imushin Area Command of So-Safe Corps corroborated the jailbreak, Soji Ganzallo, the So-Safe Corps Commander, claimed no knowledge of the incident, urging the public to disregard the information.

The escapees have been identified as Hammed Adeboyejo, convicted of Murder/Armed Robbery; Fatai Taiwo Akande, sentenced on a Murder Case from Ijebu-Igbo; and Oguntona Aliu, convicted of a Sexual Offense. Authorities advise anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact relevant security agencies immediately.

12/26/2023
Tinubu Orders Manhunt Of Culprits Behind Plateau Killings

President Bola Tinubu has condemned the horrific attacks that ravaged communities in Plateau State’s Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas, resulting in the tragic loss of over 115 lives.

Gunmen perpetrated the onslaughts on Sunday night, targeting residents in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi LGAs, along with Mangu.

Expressing his outrage, President Tinubu, through his Special Adviser, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, labeled the attackers as “harbingers of death, inflicting immeasurable pain and anguish.”

He assured that justice would be served, emphasizing that those responsible “will face the full force of the law.”

The President issued direct instructions to security agencies, urging an immediate and comprehensive manhunt to track down the perpetrators.

He emphasized the urgency of capturing the culprits and urged security forces to intensify efforts across the region.

Furthermore, President Tinubu has directed the prompt deployment of relief resources to support survivors of these “barbaric and heartless attacks,” ensuring urgent medical care for the injured.

A mass burial was conducted to honor and lay to rest those who lost their lives in this tragic incident.

12/26/2023
Emefiele Drags CBN Investigator To Court Over Damning Allegations

Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has vehemently denied allegations made against him by a Special Investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu.

Emefiele labeled the accusations as “satanic, baseless, defamatory, and false.”

In a statement released on Sunday, Emefiele expressed his intent to initiate legal proceedings to clear his name from the damaging claims contained in the report.

His legal representative, Maxwell Okpara, confirmed the authenticity of the statement, underscoring the seriousness of Emefiele’s response.

The investigator’s report, which allegedly accused Emefiele of various financial misconducts, including the opening of 593 foreign bank accounts without proper authorization, stirred controversy.

Notably, it claimed substantial amounts held in UK banks without proper approvals and questioned the legitimacy of the recent naira redesign.

Emefiele strongly refuted these allegations, asserting that he had complied with necessary protocols, including obtaining Presidential approval, and passing on necessary documents during the investigative process.

He particularly emphasized that the redesign of the naira had received explicit authorization from former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Furthermore, Emefiele distanced himself from allegations of withdrawing $6.23 million from the CBN vault based on a falsified presidential directive.

He maintained his lack of knowledge and involvement, challenging the investigator to make public the purported documents and his statements during the inquiry.

Regarding the numerous foreign accounts allegedly opened, Emefiele categorically denied any involvement or knowledge of such activities, stressing that CBN departments held the authority for such operations within their legal mandates.

Emefiele concluded by reaffirming his commitment to a transparent investigation into the accusations while emphasizing his readiness to pursue legal action to refute the defamatory claims against him.

12/25/2023
Kwankwaso Holds Special Prayer Session Ahead Of Supreme Court Verdict

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya political faction, organized a special prayer gathering at his residence in Kano on Monday.

This prayer session was aimed to implore divine intervention from God regarding the eagerly awaited Supreme Court decision on the Kano gubernatorial dispute.

The Islamic group, Mu’assatul Kwankwasiyya, orchestrated this prayer session, with prominent figures like Mallam Yahaya Sufi, Mallam Ashiru Nata’ala, Mallam Bazallahi Nasiru Kabara, and Mallam Sadiq Isiyaku Rabiu leading the prayers.

Their supplications included seeking success for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in the Supreme Court ruling and praying for the continued peace and harmony within the state.

This session saw the presence of certain members of the current administration’s cabinet, other political appointees, and supporters affiliated with the Kwankwasiyya movement.

The Supreme Court, under the stewardship of Justice Inyang Okoro and a panel of five justices, on Sunday reserved its judgment subsequent to hearing arguments from legal representatives involved in the case.

12/25/2023